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ENTHUSIASMS AND EXECRATIONS 41
Vol. I, no. 2 August 1927
Oswell Blakeston
BRITISH SOLECISMS
Written by a member of one of the leading British Film Studios, this article contains some
inside facts which cannot be disputed. There is no malicious feeling. All who desire good
British films must know the kind of thing they are up against as it is only by such knowledge
that any success either artistically or commercially can be brought about. (Ed.)
Everyone is talking of a revival of British films.
The phrase is hardly felicitous. Where in the history of British pictures are to be
found films with the aesthetic merits of 'Caligari'; 'Warning Shadows'; or The Last
Laugh'? Rather should we speak of the birth of British films, but that would be too
obviously a confession of weakness. If there is genius in a country it is bound to come
out, to make itself felt in some way or other. Remember that England was supplying films
to America before the war and then realize what a stigma it would be for us, after all these
years, to speak of the birth of British films. So we point at dreadful scarecrows of the
past and gibber of the revival of British films.
Of course film technique changes. When the Film Society decided to revive
Lubitsch's 'Marriage Circle' in London the Committee did not get an opportunity to
run the film through till a few hours before the actual performance. They were appalled!
What they had thought subtle and witty a few years ago was now slow and heavy. They
did their best to remedy the evil by projecting the film much faster than is usual but
even then it sadly lacked its pristine brilliance.
Yet making all allowances for old British films not one of them can really be singled
out as good. 'The very best British film ever made' recently reached the cutting room
prior to revival. It got no further!
The disagreeable fact must be faced that Britain lacks film tradition. What then?
Surely if there are no Robinsons, Murneaus [Murnaus], or Lupu Picks, there are at least
men who are efficient, men who know their jobs? Surely England can acquire the slick
polish that America spreads like treacle over her sentimental bread and butter plots?
Alas not even that!
A film was recently made in England on which the company, who were sponsoring
it, had determined to spare no reasonable expense. An enormous set (that is enormous
for conservative and timid Britishers) was erected on a big open field. It rained for
weeks before the production. The field became sodden and transport almost impossible.
The plasterers were held up, the carpenters found it impossible to continue work.
Then on the very day that the publicity man had seen fit to give to the paper a glowing
panegyric on the wonders of this particular set, and the suitability of the English
climate in spite of persistent calumnious statements (oh irony of everything!) a
hurricane blew. The ground was rotten, the supports could not hold, and the most